Ocean-bound plastic next step for IKEA

There is currently more than 86 million metric tons of plastic in our oceans. IKEA wants to proactively prevent ocean plastic pollution and has decided to join the NextWave initiative, with focus on making use of plastic waste before it enters the ocean. With this initiative, IKEA aims to become part of the first global network of ocean-bound plastics supply chains. The ambition is for the first product prototypes to be ready by the end of 2019.

Earlier this year, IKEA announced the commitment of removing all single-use plastic products by 2020 – as a step towards becoming a circular business by 2030. As part of this journey, IKEA is now becoming a member of NextWave – an initiative that engages leading technology and consumer-focused companies, scientists and NGOs to integrate ocean-bound plastic into consumer products in a scalable way.

Ocean-bound plastic is plastic found within 50KM distance from a waterway including a river, lake or sea. If not collected, this plastic pollution will eventually make its way to the open ocean adding to the more than 86 million metric tons currently there.

“The consequences of plastic pollution are severe and IKEA is determined to contribute to its solution in a positive and proactive way. Joining NextWave gives us the opportunity to collaborate with other companies, and develop a global network of ocean-bound plastic supply chains, learning from each other’s efforts and working together to ensure business, community and environmental benefit.”, says Lena Pripp Kovac, sustainability manager, Inter IKEA Group.

The aim is, according to IKEA sustainability goals, for all products and packing materials to be based on renewable and/or recycled materials by 2030, which also includes phasing out virgin fossil plastic products. With the NextWave membership IKEA announces an important step in this journey. The ambition is to have the first product prototypes made with ocean-bound plastic ready by the end of 2019.

“We want to make ocean-bound plastic into a commodity for the future and to take initiatives to prevent plastic from ending up in the ocean in the first place. We hope this membership will lead to new learnings and new innovations and that we can inspire other companies to follow.” says Lena Pripp Kovac.